Vallo di Nera

Photographer's Note

Vallo di Nera

Magnificent castle that dominates the Valnerina. Among its narrow is enveloped in the magic of the Middle Ages.
Superb cycles of frescoes of its churches. It rises 467 m s.l.m. has a population of approximately 400 units. The urban layout is compact, with the typical structure of the castle hill, a nucleus from which extend circular flat ring roads and steep hills to the heart or the central square of San Giovanni Battista, where the parish church occupies the point top of the hill, dominating the entire country. The village is flanked by the fifteenth of S. Mary, then falls in the second city wall, built to include the monastic settlements, and the next century village of Casali, built along the various roads of the country during the period of maximum population growth. Archaeological finds prove that the remote settlements of attributable to the aboriginal people of this valley already in the eighth century BC
Of Roman origin, the ancient name of the village was Castrum Valli, ie fortified place. In 1177 the fortress of the coolle Flezano became a fief of the Duke of Spoleto Germanic Hursligen In 1216 Conrad of the old and the old castle was destroyed by the city of Spoleto.
On September 8, 1217 the mayor of Spoleto, James Vallo Capocci grants to men of the right to erect a castle under his rule, in exchange for protection and defense. Vallo di Spoleto thus enters orbit and undertakes to pay taxes and make war or peace, according to its directives.
In 1223 Omodeo, chaplain and vicar for the Mountain to the Pope resets for a short period, the domain of the church.
Federico II and Cardinal tied Capocci, in 1247, confirmed the possession of the castle to the town of Spoleto.
In 1522 has headed, with Petrone valleys, the revolt against the castles of Valnerina Spoleto. Petrone kills the papal governor failed to quell the revolt. Vallo Castle - writes one historian - "is taken, whether full of ruins and blood and stripped of everything." Petrone is burnt alive in 1527 and go to plunder Lanzichenecchi also mean that you can fever.
The town was reborn later, as evidenced by many sixteenth lintels and the fresco by Jacopo Siculo of 1536 in the church of S. John, in whose valley is shown with its walls intact and the tower-houses.
The reference to the Black River was added after the unification of Italy. The current coat of arms depicts three castles and must be a result of the union with the nineteenth-century castles and Meggiano Paterno.
Among the numerous medieval ruins are noteworthy many parts of the walls, the main tower and other towers along the walls, the two gates of the castle, churches and most of the buildings recently restored, is one of the best examples of restoration and Preserve the original city. The modern road, built in the last century has significantly altered the structure and reaches the original road near the back door, therefore become the main, on the covered porch which, once used for the market, is the old town hall , now used for services and for the archive.

S. John Baptist dominates the village on the highest part of the hill. Originally Romanesque (XIII), was enlarged and partly rebuilt around 1575 (the date is engraved on the left corner of the facade). To this period belong the facade with its bell tower, portal and rose window. Inside, the fresco in the apse is a splendid work of Jacopo Siculo of 1536, dedicated to the Death of the Virgin. On the bow the master painted a delicate Annunciation and the figures of S. Sebastian and S. Rocco-size.

The Franciscan Church of St. Maria was started in 1273 and shows a beautiful Gothic portal and a turreted tower. The interior is surprising for the amount of frescoes which still adorn it, the work of artists from Giotto school. Among them, the stand out of the White Procession, painted by Pietro Cola in 1401 (the painting is one of the most complete sources of the movement of prison Bianchi through Italy in 1399) and the Martyrdom of Saint Lucia, a painter Camerino of the fifteenth century. There are still the bell to ring hand bells, placed in the mighty square tower, on scales of agreements unchanged over time.

The third church is dedicated to intra moenia S. Catherine, built in 1354, which today is housed in a small auditorium.

Kamilutka, Didi, dip, jjcordier, elenimavrandoni, krzychu30, papagolf21, tyro, saxo042, danos, delpeoples, jlbrthnn has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Kamilutka (3207) 2013-01-14 9:27

Dear Silvio,
amazing light which creates incredible contrast. I like the POv and perspective in your photo as well as the color management. Very informative note, too - as always :-)
Warm regards
Kamila

eldancer1 (17106) 2013-01-14 9:37

I like the colors of those archway against the blue sky. Good lighting and dof with nice details. Very well done, tfs.

Didi (48938) 2013-01-14 10:01

Ciao Silvio
Bellissima !
Interesting balance between golden lights and the blue hour
Very good lights control.
Well done
Sincères amitiés

Antipodean (1096) 2013-01-14 10:40

Kia ora Silvio,
Excellent exposure making great use of the two contrasting light sources. The lights of the distance village & the fading blue light contrasts perfectly with the brick & stone work details of the castle. Cheers, Neil

Sonata11 (28391) 2013-01-14 10:46

Hello Silvio,
This picture is beautifully composed and presented to us. Architecture is very beautiful and very atracttive for photographers which you proved by this magnificent composition of those beautiful arches. Light, impressive colors, sharpness, clarity and POV are fantastic. Perfectly well done and pleasure to look at. Awesome work. Thank you.
Warm regards,
Barbara

dip (21921) 2013-01-14 11:08

Ciao Silvio,
wonderful blue hour shot,very good light management!
greetings,
Dimitris.

kasianowak (2271) 2013-01-14 11:38

Ciao Silvio
Beautiful blue hour shot with lovely contrasting colours and great light management.
Perfect Christmas Eve photography venue! :)
Best wishes
Kasia

macjake (39235) 2013-01-14 12:42

Hi Silvio
its always attractive when you can group together blue hour light and an orange or yellow light - looks very sharp.
and the arches give a sense of form and style which is much appreciated.
nice shot
cheers
Craig

ourania (12469) 2013-01-14 13:32

Ciao Silvio,
hai sfruttato al meglio le opportunita' presentate dall' architettura e la luce ed hai composto una foto eccezionale. La prospettiva e le forme architetturali sono superbe, il contrasto fra il calore della luce dorata e l' ambiente esteriore blu' e' reso meravisgliosamete. Ottima la cattura delle tessiture e accattivante la vista dell' illuminata cittadina distante come punto di riferimento esteriore. Complimenti e grazie!
Tanti saluti e buona notte,
Ourania

lousat (57724) 2013-01-14 14:55

Ciao Silvio,eccellente risultato in orario molto particolare e ricco di atmosfera,il mago dei vicoli e dei portici non poteva sbagliare il colpo..ehehe...ottimo lavoro! Buona giornata,Luciano

carlo62 (12666) 2013-01-14 15:12

Ciao Silvio
ti sei superato alla grande, una luce doratamente calda illumina il portico, ma l'eccellente esposizione ci mostra anche il bel panorama dato dal blu del cielo e dalle luci del paesino.
Complimenti
Carlo

thebest (3370) 2013-01-14 16:11

Hi Silvio,

A blue hour image it is beautiful the lighting is excellent creating a fabulous contrast between the rich golden colours of the arches & the blue sky.
I like the tiny hamlet - village lit up below also the motorbike.
Congratulations on your extensive & informative notes.

Kind regards,
Dawn.

jjcordier (62394) 2013-01-14 23:11

Silvio
Beau contraste de couleurs entre l'éclairage artificiel de l'intérieur du château et l'heure bleue à l'extérieur. Le détail du village éclairé est un plus intéressant.
Amicalement
JJ

bayno (16241) 2013-01-14 23:40

Ciao Silvio,
gran bella inquadratura e bellissimo contrasto tra toni freddi e caldi...bella bella
Valter

chrisvek (5515) 2013-01-14 23:49

Hello Silvio

Very good composition with splendid contrast of warm and cold colors.Nice lightning usage and unique POV.I like the framing you chose too.

All the best
Chris

elenimavrandoni (5803) 2013-01-15 0:42

Ciao Silvio, magnifica chiesa storica, molto impressionante ora blu, lo stato dell'arte l'opera d'arte piastrelle sul pavimento e gli archi!
Un quadro molto straordinario con grande vista panoramica e sorprendente luce morbida!
Saluti cordiali,
Eleni

krzychu30 (8935) 2013-01-15 0:57

Hello Silvio,
what a beautiful juxtaposition.Blue sky and so beautifully,warm illuminated cloister.Colors you were able to bring out here are magnificent and the contrast between them is also superb.Excellent quality of th eimage.Eye-catching composition!

Have a nice day
Krzysztof

papagolf21 (76611) 2013-01-15 0:59

Bonjour, cher ami Silvio,
Bel effet général dans cette composition. Réussite totale quant à l'intérêt général et à la maîtrise technique.
Le résultat est superbe.
Amitiés.
Philippe

tyro (13149) 2013-01-15 3:01

Ciao caro Silvio,

A very interesting and comprehensive note as usual and an excellent photograph to illustrate it!

You have very expertly used your very wide angle 14mm lens to produce the most amazingly strong perspectives here as well as being able to include such a large field of view.

The contrast between the lovely yellowish stonework (presumably lit by artificial light) and the distant dark blue vista is delightful and you have produced a photograph with very little, if any, evidence of "noise" despite the use of ISO 6400.

Your composition is excellent and very pleasing with good "lead in" lines and with all elements perfectly placed in the frame.

Gorgeous colours, lovely light, perfect exposure and excellent details and sharpness.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

dekanski (489) 2013-01-15 4:27 [Comment]

Show Comment [workshop] [compare]

saxo042 (31802) 2013-01-15 4:44

Hi Silvio,
The warm and golden light over arches are beautifully contrasting the blue sky above the dark view outside. A well balanced composition and an excellent picture.
Kind regards
Gunnar

photographer_sg (194) 2013-01-15 7:53

Hi Silvio

your photo is - in one word - glorious. everything is in place here: colour, texture, perspective. I specially liked the window framing the distant cluster of lights.

with regards
Satya

danos (74064) 2013-01-15 8:34

Ciao Silvio,
nice the view of the well lighted place when teh outside sky is in blue hour,making the scene more attractive as gives contrast in it.I like the excellent presentation as the light and the colour management of the shot.

HAve a good afternoon,Danos

cornejo (18130) 2013-01-15 11:33

Ciao Silvio, mi piace questo scatto grande della composizione bella e interessante con il soggiorno piacevole e la vista catturato dalla stessa che offriamo qui. Un'immagine affascinante e interessante, catturati con la tecnica molto buona e di qualità. Lavoro molto buono e bello perfettamente fatto, complimenti amico mio. Grazie per la condivisione di questo bel lavoro.

Buona notte e settimana felice.
I migliori auguri dalla Spagna meridionale.
Angel.

delpeoples (45018) 2013-01-16 0:40

Caro Silvio

Un soggetto spettacolare come la foto. L'Ora Blu é ben esposta e mi piacciono molto i toni dorati del castello. Una foto da favola. Complimenti e ti auguro una bella giornata del sole (e neve?)

Un abbraccio
Lisa

willperrett (2959) 2013-01-16 2:01

Hello Silvio
Two pictures for the price of one! You've made the most of two separate light sources with different colour temperatures. I love the juxtapostion of the cool tones of the view down the valley with its small cluster of lights in the middle distance, and the warm oranges of the cloister in the foreground. The lovely old stonework glows in the arficial light. Good work.
Regards
Will

dkmurphys (36857) 2013-01-16 5:15

Ciao Silvio,
Very fine composition. I like the warm foreground and the cold night background. Clever shot!

Daniel

mesutilgim (68036) 2013-01-16 11:38

Hello dear Silvio,
Wonderfull capture with very good light and layout.
Great effect.
Many interesting notes makes it a good TE entry.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Graal (88982) 2013-01-16 23:42

Ciao Silvio,
place and view here are beautiful. Amazing old arcades and landscape in BG. Well presentation, note is interesting.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

jlbrthnn (79773) 2013-01-17 4:55

Ciao Silvio,
Si tratta di una cornice creativa, la composizione è molto interessante. I colori sono notevole chiarezza e profondità troppo. Bravo.
Buongiorno.
Amicalement
Joël